Wrap and infant support system

ABSTRACT

An improved wrap and infant support system that is unobtrusive and includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are selectively secured to one another. The upper portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the head of an infant, and the lower portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the body of an infant. The upper portion and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The present non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/705,734, filed on Feb. 15, 2010, and entitled “INFANT SUPPORT SYSTEM.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved wrap and infant support system. As is well known, infants do not have developed neck muscles, which would allow the infant to control its head. Therefore, the head and body of the infant must be supported with care to prevent injury to the infant. Extreme care must be exercised to provide the adequate support to the head and body for preventing injury, especially while passing the infant from one individual to another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved wrap and infant support system. As is well known, infants do not have developed neck muscles, which would allow the infant to control its head. Therefore, the head and body of the infant must be supported with care to prevent injury to the infant. Extreme care must be exercised to provide the adequate support to the head and body for preventing injury, especially while passing the infant from one individual to another.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved wrap and infant support system that would adequately support the body and head of the infant, while being unobtrusive. It is also desirable to provide an improved wrap and infant support system that would provide adequate support to the body and head of the infant, while being unobtrusive and providing comfort and warmth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for supporting an infant includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the head of an infant, and the lower portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the body of an infant. The system includes a wrap for receiving the frame, and the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a top cover that is disposed on the upper portion of the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a lower portion that has two distal ends that are in a spaced-apart arrangement.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a neck portion positioned between the upper portion and lower portion for receiving a neck cover.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a pocket disposed on the wrap for receiving the feet of an infant.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a pair of sheaths disposed on the wrap for receiving the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a pouch disposed on the wrap for receiving the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for supporting an infant includes a frame having an upper portion, a neck portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the head of an infant, and the lower portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the body of an infant. The neck portion of the frame engages the upper portion and the lower portion for receiving the neck of an infant. The system includes a wrap for receiving the frame, whereby the upper portion, the neck portion, and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a wrap that has sides for covering the infant placed therein.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes an upper portion and a lower portion of the frame that is selectively secured to one another.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a cover disposed on the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a locking mechanism for selectively securing the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame to one another.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a padded frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a side locking mechanism for selectively securing the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a frame having an upper portion, a neck portion, and a lower portion, whereby the upper portion of the frame is selectively secured to the lower portion of the frame. The upper portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the head of an infant and having a predetermined diameter that is greater than the diameter of the infant's head the upper portion is designed to receive. The lower portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving the body of an infant while allowing the legs of the infant to protrude off an edge of the lower portion, but providing support to the body of the infant and having a predetermined diameter that is greater than the diameter of the infant's body the lower portion is designed to receive. The neck portion of the frame engages the upper portion to the lower portion for receiving the neck of an infant. The upper portion, the neck portion, and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a wrap for providing comfort and warmth to an infant that includes a pouch disposed on the wrap for receiving a frame, wherein the frame has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a head of an infant and the lower portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a body of an infant, and the pouch has a shape that is substantially the same as that of the lower portion of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one side of an exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another side of an exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the placement of the frame in the sheaths disposed on the wrap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the system in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the system of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the system of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an exemplary improved wrap and infant support system are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The combined wrap and infant support system is generally shown at reference numeral 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wrap 12 includes a pair of sheaths 14 for receiving a portion of the infant support system 16, a pocket 18, and a pair of sides 20. The infant support system 16 may include a frame 22, a top cover 24 and a neck cover 26. It is also understood that the frame 22, top cover 24, and neck cover 16 may be constructed in different sizes to accommodate the various sizes and dimensions as desired by the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of the frame 22 of the infant support system 16 is a single, continuous material that generally follows the contours of an infant's body. In other words, the frame 22 contains an upper portion 28, a neck portion 30, and a lower portion 32. The upper portion 28 is designed to receive the head of an infant. The neck portion 30 is designed to receive the neck of an infant, and the lower portion 32 is designed to receive the body of an infant. The upper portion 28, neck portion 30, and lower portion 32 are arranged to form a planar surface relative to one another.

The distal ends of the frame 22, as shown in FIG. 5, are open ended. In other words, the distal ends of the frame 22 do not connect. Preferably, the distal ends are located just below the hips of an infant, thereby, providing the requisite support for the infant.

A wrap 12 is selectively secured to the infant support system 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 is received within the sheaths 14 disposed on the wrap 12. The top cover 24 is selectively secured to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22 and the neck cover 26 is selectively secured to the neck portion 30 of the frame 22. During use, the infant is placed on top of the combined wrap and infant support system 10. The head of the infant is placed upon the top cover 24 and the feet are placed within the pocket 18 and the sides 20 are wrapped around the infant.

The term “infant” has used herein is to be taken to include a small child unless the context requires otherwise.

The frame 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 may also be padded for protecting the infant. The padded frame 22 is designed to form a cushiony exterior to the frame 22 for preventing injury to the infant that may occur from a hard, non-padded frame 22, depending upon the material utilized for the frame 22. The padded portion fully encompasses the frame 22 by forming a solid exterior boundary. The padded portion may be composed of any material that would dampen the force caused by the infant contacting the frame 22. Such materials may include a sponglike material of substantially uniform thickness or a threaded cloth material with a substantially uniform thickness.

Another exemplary embodiment of the wrap 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, a pouch 34 is disposed on the wrap 12 for receiving the lower portion 32 of the frame 22. A hook and loop fastener (sold under the trade name VELCRO®) is disposed within the upper portion of the pouch 34 and lower portion of the top cover 24. The pouch 34 may contain the hook portion and the top cover 24 may contain the loop portion or vice versa and the hook and loop fastener is designed to form a selectively secured arrangement between the top cover 24 and pouch 34. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the frame 22 is inserted into the pouch 34 and the top cover 24 is selectively secured to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. The hook and loop fastener is engaged for selectively securing the top cover 24 to the pouch 34 and selectively securing the frame 22 within the top cover 24 and pouch 34. The neck cover 26 may be integral with the top cover 24 or may be separate. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a hook and loop fastener is used herein by way of example only and any type of fastener that can selectively secure the pouch 34 and top cover 24 together may be utilized, such as a snap or button.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pouch 34 may contain a pair of pouch sheaths 36 for receiving the lower portion 32 of the frame 22. The pouch sheaths 36 may be stitched into the pouch 34 or engaged to the pouch 34 by any other means known by one of ordinary skill in the art. A hook and loop fastener (sold under the trade name VELCRO®) is disposed within the upper portion of the pouch 34 and lower portion of the top cover 24. The pouch 34 may contain the hook portion and the top cover 24 may contain the loop portion or vice versa and the hook and loop fastener is designed to form a selectively secured arrangement between the top cover 24 and pouch 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the frame 22 is inserted into the pouch 34 and the top cover 24 is selectively secured to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. The hook and loop fastener is engaged to selectively secure the top cover 24 to the pouch 34 and selectively secure the frame 22 within the top cover 24 and pouch 34. The neck cover 26 may be integral with the top cover 24 or may be separate. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a hook and loop fastener is used herein by way of example only and any type of fastener that can selectively secure the pouch 34 and top cover 24 together may be utilized, such as a snap or button.

An alternative embodiment of the frame 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This embodiment of the frame 22 has an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 32 that are selectively secured to one another. A means to selectively secure the upper portion 28 and the lower portion 32 is located within the neck portion 30 of the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the upper portion 30 may be referred to as the female end and the lower portion 32 as the male end. The upper portion 30 comprises a pair of bores 38 and a receiving cavity 40 with an open ended retaining portion. The lower portion 32 contains a pair of stabilizer pins 42 and a locking mechanism 44 having a shaft and an angled head. The locking mechanism 44 is received within the receiving cavity 40. As the locking mechanism 44 is inserted into the receiving cavity 40, the angled head of the locking mechanism protrudes through the open ended retaining portion in a selectively secured arrangement. Meanwhile, the stabilizer pins 42 are received within the bores 38 for providing stability to the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 protrudes through the open ended portion of the receiving cavity 40 and relies upon friction fit to selectively secure the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. To release the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 from the upper portion 28 of the frame 22, the user depresses the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 and slides the locking mechanism 44 from the receiving cavity 40 and the stabilizer pins 42 from the bores 38.

An alternative embodiment of the frame 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment of the frame has an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 32 that are selectively secured to one another. A means to selectively secure the upper portion 28 and the lower portion 32 is located within the neck portion 30 of the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the upper portion 30 may be referred to as the male end and the lower portion 32 as the female end. The upper portion 30 comprises a pair of stabilizer pins 42 and a locking mechanism 44 having a shaft and an angled head. The lower portion 32 contains pair of bores 38 and a receiving cavity 40 with an open ended retaining portion. The locking mechanism 44 is received within the receiving cavity 40. As the locking mechanism 44 is inserted into the receiving cavity 40, the angled head of the locking mechanism protrudes through the open ended retaining portion in a selectively secured arrangement. Meanwhile, the stabilizer pins 42 are received within the bores 38 for providing stability to the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 protrudes through the open ended portion of the receiving cavity 40 and relies upon friction fit to selectively secure the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. To release the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 from the upper portion 28 of the frame 22, the user depresses the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 and slides the locking mechanism 44 from the receiving cavity 40 and the stabilizer pins 42 from the bores 38.

An alternative embodiment of the frame 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. This embodiment of the frame has an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 32 that are selectively secured to one another. A means to selectively secure the upper portion 28 and the lower portion 32 is located within the neck portion 30 of the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper portion 30 may be referred to as the female end and the lower portion 32 as the male end. The upper portion 30 comprises a pair of bores 38 and a receiving cavity 40 with an open ended retaining portion. The lower portion 32 contains a pair of stabilizer pins 42 and a locking mechanism 44 having a shaft and an angled head. The locking mechanism 44 is received within the receiving cavity 40. As the locking mechanism 44 is inserted into the receiving cavity 40, the angled head of the locking mechanism protrudes through the open ended retaining portion in a selectively secured arrangement. Meanwhile, the stabilizer pins 42 are received within the bores 38 for providing stability to the frame 22. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 protrudes through the open ended portion of the receiving cavity 40 and relies upon friction fit to selectively secure the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 to the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. To release the lower portion 32 of the frame 22 from the upper portion 28 of the frame 22, the user depresses the angled head of the locking mechanism 44 and slides the locking mechanism 44 from the receiving cavity 40 and the stabilizer pins 42 from the bores 38.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the stabilizing pins 42 include a notch 46 for receiving a side locking mechanism 48. The upper portion 28 of the frame 22 preferably includes two side locking mechanisms 48 on either side of the upper portion 28 of the frame 22. The side locking mechanism 48 contains a first end and a second end. The first end extends beyond the exterior of the upper portion 28 of the frame 22 for allowing a user to engage and disengage the side locking mechanism 48. The second end of the side locking mechanism 48 is received within the notch 46 of the stabilizer pin 42. When the second end of the side locking mechanism is received within the notch 46, the side locking mechanism 48 is engaged and prevents the separation of the upper portion 28 and lower portion 32 of the frame 22. The user may disengage the side locking mechanism 48 by applying force to the first end, thus causing the second end to be expelled from the notch 46, thus allowing separation of the upper portion 28 and lower portion 32 of the frame 22. The side locking mechanism 48 allows the upper portion 28 and lower portion 32 of the frame 22 to be selectively secured to one another.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the side locking mechanism 48 is used in addition to the locking mechanism 44. However, it should be known that the side locking mechanism 48 may be used in lieu of the locking mechanism 44. It should also be known that any number of side locking mechanisms 48 may be used, depending upon the desires of the user.

According to another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 14, a stretchable cover 50 may be engaged to the frame 22. The stretchable cover 50 has an open bottom for receiving the frame 22 therein. The stretchable cover 50, once disposed on the frame 22, is inserted into the pouch 34 of the wrap 12. The stretchable cover 50 allows the user to remove the stretchable cover 50 for washing and sanitizing. The stretchable cover 50 is preferably made from a material that allows the stretchable cover 50 to conform to the shape of the frame 22. It will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art that the term stretchable means elastic. An outer cuff 52 and inner cuff 54 may also be positioned on the stretchable cover 50. The inner cuff 54 is designed to receive the distal ends of the frame 22. The outer cuff 52 is designed to be folded from a first position to a second position. The first position of the outer cuff 52 is illustrated in FIG. 14. The outer cuff 52 is then folded downwards and away from the stretchable cover 50 and then folded around the distal ends of the frame 22, resting in a second position on the opposite side of the stretchable cover 50 that is opposed to the first position.

The frame 22 may also include a padded portion 56, as illustrated in FIG. 15, for protecting the infant. The padded portion 56 is designed to form a cushiony exterior to the frame 22 for preventing injury to the infant that may occur from a hard, non-padded frame 22, depending upon the material utilized for the frame 22. The padded portion 56 fully encompasses the frame 22 by forming a solid exterior boundary. The padded portion 56 may be composed of any material that would dampen the force caused by the infant contacting the frame 22. Such materials may include a sponglike material of substantially uniform thickness or a threaded cloth material with a substantially uniform thickness.

In another alternative embodiment, the wrap 12 may include a swaddling blanket, a receiving blanket or variations thereof. A wrap 12 that is a receiving blanket may be of the type that is commonly found in hospital nurseries and the like for providing comfort and warmth to the infant. The receiving blanket is substantially square or rectangular. The wrap 12 that may be a swaddling blanket contains a pouch for receiving the infant's feet and sides for wrapping around the infant.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. A system for supporting an infant, comprising: a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion; the upper portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a head of an infant; the lower portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a body of the infant; and a wrap for receiving the frame; whereby the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.
 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a top cover disposed on the upper portion of the frame.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion has two distal ends that are in a spaced apart arrangement.
 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a neck portion of the frame that is positioned between the upper portion and lower portion for receiving a neck cover.
 5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pocket disposed on the wrap for receiving the feet of an infant.
 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of sheaths disposed on the wrap for receiving the frame.
 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a pouch disposed on the wrap for receiving the frame.
 8. A system for supporting an infant, comprising: a frame having an upper portion, a neck portion, and a lower portion; the upper portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a head of an infant; the lower portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a body of an infant; the neck portion of the frame engaging the upper portion and the lower portion for receiving a neck of the infant; and a wrap for receiving the frame; whereby the upper portion, the neck portion, and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the lower portion has two distal ends that are in a spaced apart arrangement.
 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the wrap has sides for covering the infant placed therein.
 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the upper portion and lower portion of the frame are selectively secured to one another.
 12. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a cover disposed on the frame.
 13. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively securing the upper portion and lower portion of the frame to one another.
 14. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a pair of sheaths disposed within the wrap for receiving the frame.
 15. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a side locking mechanism for selectively securing the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the wrap contains a pouch for receiving the frame.
 17. A system for supporting an infant, comprising: a frame having an upper portion, a neck portion, and a lower portion, whereby the upper portion of the frame is selectively secured to the lower portion of the frame; the upper portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a head of an infant and having a predetermined diameter that is greater than the diameter of the infant's head the upper portion is designed to receive; the lower portion of the frame defines a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a body of an infant while allowing the legs of the infant to protrude off an edge of the lower portion, but providing support to the body of the infant and having a predetermined diameter that is greater than the diameter of the infant's body the lower portion is designed to receive; the neck portion of the frame engages the upper portion to the lower portion for receiving a neck of the infant; and whereby the upper portion, the neck portion, and the lower portion of the frame are arranged to form a substantially planar surface relative to one another.
 18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively securing the upper portion of the frame to the lower portion of the frame.
 19. The system according to claim 17, further comprising a wrap for receiving the frame.
 20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a sheath disposed on the wrap for receiving the frame.
 21. A wrap for providing comfort and warmth to an infant, comprising: At least one pouch disposed on the wrap for receiving a frame, wherein the frame has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a head of an infant and the lower portion of the frame defining a substantially elliptical shape for receiving a body of an infant, and the pouch has a shape that is substantially the same as that of the lower portion of the frame. 